With a cry Boba drew his vibroshiv. He slashed at a huge vein and felt his blade cut into it with a satisfying slurp. Shimmering liquid splattered out. He ducked to one side, nearly falling on the slick floor. But the chamber floor was already at work, sucking up the liquid greedily. "Take that!" cried Boba. A cobralike tentacle swooped toward him and he grabbed it. It lashed up, scraping the ceiling. Boba hung on with all his strength. He waited until he I was just above where Wat Tambor stood beside Mazariyan's beating nerve center. Then he let go. "Yaaah!" he shouted. He lunged for the Techno Union Foreman, blaster firing. Too late. Wat Tambor moved too quickly. The Separatist whirled, sending another bolt of energy flying from his hand. Boba lunged for the floor. If he could just reach that pile of broken metal...

"Agh!" A blazing burst of pain struck his leg, so powerful it overwhelmed his body armor, which now cracked and smoked. Boba crashed against the ground. He had a glimpse of Wat Tambor's figure searching for him. Then the Separatist suddenly looked away, toward the chamber's entrance. I've got to hide, thought Boba in desperation, before he sees I'm down....He rolled and began to drag himself to the heap of droid parts. It was darker there. He might be able to gain a minute, enough time to get Wat Tambor in his sights once more.-Chpt.22